Clerks prep for early voting

Eli Sherman Wicked Local @Eli_Sherman

Monday

Oct 22, 2018 at 12:10 PM

Want to vote early this year? Massachusetts allows it, although its convenience could vary based on where you live.

In an effort to boost voter turnout, early voting first started in 2016. Each municipality must make at least one location available for voters to cast early ballots during regular business hours in the two weeks prior to Election Day.

Early voting proved popular then, with more than 1 million voters -- or 22.9 percent of registered voters -- choosing to vote before the actual Election Day.

Voters this year will again have the opportunity, with early voting allowed between Oct. 22 and Nov. 2. It will not be allowed in the three days prior to the general election, scheduled for Nov. 6, to give election officials time to set up for Election Day.

Debra O’Malley, spokeswoman for Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office, said the state isn’t making any projections for early voter turnout this year, as trends based on one year of data are difficult to discern.

The 2016 results are nonetheless noteworthy, she added.

“It was the first time and there was a lot of excitement,” O’Malley said. “People were eager to vote.”

Contributing to its popularity, early voters don’t need to justify why they want to vote early. Unlike absentee ballots, which voters can use if away on Election Day, disabled or with a religious conflict, early voters can cast ballots ahead of Election Day, no questions asked.

“Early voting helps voters fit voting into busy work, childcare, and school schedules. Experience in other states suggests the increased accessibility of elections improves voter retention and moderately boosts turnout. And with a well-run voter education effort, it could expand the electorate as well,” according to a March report by Common Cause Massachusetts.

LOCALLY, EARLY VOTING GETS THUMBS UP

While popularity of early voting in 2016 wasn’t consistent across the state -- nearly half of registered voters cast early ballots in some communities, while none turned out in others -- locally it was well received.

Franklin Town Clerk Teresa Burr said she likes that early voting gets more people involved in the democratic process.

"We get more of a turnout, and it's making it (the election process) more accessible. I think it's great," she said, adding, "People really like it."

Burr offers more extended hours than are required, and has a good set up -- she clears the conference room attached to her office of its table and sets up polling booths so voters can just come in, vote and exit without fuss.

"It think it's going to be a pretty good turnout this year, especially with the questions on the ballot," she said.

In 2016, the opportunity to vote early was "received very well" by Franklin voters, Burr said, noting that in 2016, "I had a huge turnout -- more so than in the past."

Wrentham Town Clerk Cindy Thompson said in her town, 28 percent of voters took advantage of early voting in 2016, which she characterizes as "a very decent turnout."

"In general, I think residents like the idea and it sometimes fits their busy schedules better," she said.

Millis Town Clerk Lisa Hardin reported that the start of early voting in 2016 saw a "great turnout" in her town.

"Looking forward to seeing how this election compares," she said.

Norfolk Town Clerk Carol Greene said she favors early voting.

"Norfolk is a commuter town and it gives our residents plenty of additional opportunity to vote," she said. "It's also an easier option for our seniors. It's a good distance in to the polling place, and if the weather is bad, that can deter some people from coming out. With early voting, you can come vote in the town clerk's office at any time during the specified hours and days."

Norfolk, she said, had a great response to early voting in 2016, with just under a third of the town's registered voters choosing that option.

It's nice, too, that the state now reimburses towns for much of the cost of the early voting, the clerks said.

Greene said Norfolk had very minimal expenses in 2016. She and the assistant town clerk staffed 95 percent of all the additional hours and days themselves, "since we didn't know at the time how much the state would reimburse or even if they would."

"But I was reimbursed for the small amount that I submitted. I am unsure in much larger towns and cities if they were reimbursed 100 percent," she said.

In Wrentham, Thompson said some reimbursement was received in 2016, and the town is scheduled to receive a bit more this year, Thompson said.

Towns have to apply to the state for grant funds, "but the reimbursement typically does not cover the total costs," Thompson said.

Earlier this year State Auditor Suzanne Bump certified municipalities spent $1 million in unfunded, mandated costs to provide early voting in 2016.

“Our mandate determination found additional expenses, such as overtime for regular employees or the cost of additional election workers to support early voting to be an unfunded mandate, thus requiring reimbursement from the commonwealth,” Bump wrote in a letter to the state Legislature.

The reimbursements, however, did not cover extended work hours and the days polls were open on the weekend, meaning local leaders must decide whether the additional investment is worth the convenience to voters.

In 2016, the state allocated $400,000 for early voting, which Galvin spent mostly toward supporting extended and weekend hours. The state hasn’t yet allocated similar funds this year, meaning municipalities could also be on the hook for additional costs.

In turn, the state could be facing increased costs, as Bump’s report signaled to municipal leaders what early voting-related costs the state will reimburse.

For local election officials, it’s come down to finding a balance between convenience, complying with the law and budgeting.

Also, registered voters have the option to request an early voting ballot through the mail. Fill out an application and mail it to Wrentham Town Clerk, 79 South St., Wrentham, MA 02093. Visit www.wrentham.ma.us/ and click on the early voting link to find the application.